Stopped by on the 4th. Had a blast. This place is as cool as it was 10 years ago when I used to frequent the place. Danced my ass off, looked like the same silly white guy I did a decade ago. Then had to sit back while my wife, who really cans salsa danced with guys who knew what they were doing. To make her jealous I decided to accept an invite to dance myself...the only problem was the guy wanted to lead. Hell he thought me a few moves my wife couldn??t. Doh!
Had a blast here big time. But yeah, when did it turn gay? Who cares cant wait to run through again.

2

by StephanM at Citysearch
July 06, 20105El Rio

when did it turn Gay?

★★★★★

Stopped by on the 4th. Had a blast. This place is as cool as it was 10 years ago when I used to frequent the place. Danced my ass off, looked like the same silly white guy I did a decade ago. Then had to sit back while my wife, who really cans salsa danced with guys who knew what they were doing. To make her jealous I decided to accept an invite to dance myself...the only problem was the guy wanted to lead. Hell he thought me a few moves my wife couldn??t. Doh!
Had a blast here big time. But yeah, when did it turn gay? Who cares cant wait to run through again.

El Rio is a fab on a Monday- you can get your fill of PBR on the cheap. The outdoor section is packed on summer weekends, but get there early and stake your claim for an afternoon bender. This is a beer and shots kind of place and a good spot to have a group meet up for drinks.

El Rio is a fab on a Monday- you can get your fill of PBR on the cheap. The outdoor section is packed on summer weekends, but get there early and stake your claim for an afternoon bender. This is a beer and shots kind of place and a good spot to have a group meet up for drinks.

Man this town has a ton of dive bars. This one is pretty cool and the outside patio is perfect on a good weather day. drinks and cheap and fast. Good dive bar.

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by greenvalleyoh at CitysearchNov 10.

El Rio is just wonderful! They are an old club with both a friendly crowd and nice staff. I have always felt welcome there even before they got to know me. They do a wide variety of music and shows and are very supportive of the mission community. It can get crowded on the weekends especially sundays. They have a great afternoon salsa party. They also have great happy hours during the week.

2

by greenvalleyoh at Citysearch
October 18, 20085El Rio

There is no better than El Rio

★★★★★

El Rio is just wonderful! They are an old club with both a friendly crowd and nice staff. I have always felt welcome there even before they got to know me. They do a wide variety of music and shows and are very supportive of the mission community. It can get crowded on the weekends especially sundays. They have a great afternoon salsa party. They also have great happy hours during the week.

Their catch phrase is "your local dive bar" and its true but its a dive in the best ways. Its so roomy cause it can accomodate large crowds and there are several sections to choose from depending on the night. The bar is quaint with a pool table and fooze ball and the patio is great for a smoke or to chill if the weather is nice and then there's a stage area with a small room that holds a hundred people or so. Great place to see a show too.

2

by reyhan2000 at Citysearch
May 30, 20065El Rio

Great place

★★★★★

Their catch phrase is "your local dive bar" and its true but its a dive in the best ways. Its so roomy cause it can accomodate large crowds and there are several sections to choose from depending on the night. The bar is quaint with a pool table and fooze ball and the patio is great for a smoke or to chill if the weather is nice and then there's a stage area with a small room that holds a hundred people or so. Great place to see a show too.

Monday night drink specials are amazing. World music is great, too. El Rio is *the* place for a casual social gathering of friends. It's not fancy, definitely not beautiful and not scenester-friendly like its outdoor competition, Zeitgeist. But the outdoor area is fun, the people are warm and you feel at home. This is one of the best places in my neighborhood.

2

by korirenee at Citysearch
September 27, 20044El Rio

A "Be Yourself" bar

★★★★☆

Monday night drink specials are amazing. World music is great, too. El Rio is *the* place for a casual social gathering of friends. It's not fancy, definitely not beautiful and not scenester-friendly like its outdoor competition, Zeitgeist. But the outdoor area is fun, the people are warm and you feel at home. This is one of the best places in my neighborhood.

Being the east coast transplant that I am, I've accustomed myself over time here in SF to the swanky, stylish bars, each trying to outdo the next with hairdryer seats, or hostesses in bikinis and fur coats, or rooms that rain. I'm always up for good entertainment. But when I walked into El Rio, I was flooded with memeories of back east at the places where Everybody Knows Your Name.. Very reminiscent of the local bar in the local town full of locals yokels, and with a touch of homey atmosphere that makes it just perfect! The outdoor patio is much more San Francisco, but adds the perfect touch. I'm always a huge fan of bars with board games too. Excellent place to have a drink with good friends, or maybe make some good friends. Leave your SF chic-ness at the door.

2

by lauralippay at Citysearch
November 23, 20025El Rio

Small Loacal Bar Haven

★★★★★

Being the east coast transplant that I am, I've accustomed myself over time here in SF to the swanky, stylish bars, each trying to outdo the next with hairdryer seats, or hostesses in bikinis and fur coats, or rooms that rain. I'm always up for good entertainment. But when I walked into El Rio, I was flooded with memeories of back east at the places where Everybody Knows Your Name.. Very reminiscent of the local bar in the local town full of locals yokels, and with a touch of homey atmosphere that makes it just perfect! The outdoor patio is much more San Francisco, but adds the perfect touch. I'm always a huge fan of bars with board games too. Excellent place to have a drink with good friends, or maybe make some good friends. Leave your SF chic-ness at the door.

I realize it is hard core or maybe cool to bash on the credit card class, but to only accept cash for overpriced drinks is just bad customer service. After paying $8 each to get in for their famous Salsa afternoon, our wallets were too empty to afford the $6 well margaritas or the $4 bottles of bud. I thought this place was going to be cheap, as it is branded as a "dive bar." I don't like to wander the neighborhood looking for cash. I guess they don't want people to buy drinks! It put me in such a bad mood that even the great music will probably not get me to go back.

1

by MichaelaKlink at Citysearch
August 26, 20022El Rio

Needs an ATM or Credit Card Machine!

★★☆☆☆

I realize it is hard core or maybe cool to bash on the credit card class, but to only accept cash for overpriced drinks is just bad customer service. After paying $8 each to get in for their famous Salsa afternoon, our wallets were too empty to afford the $6 well margaritas or the $4 bottles of bud. I thought this place was going to be cheap, as it is branded as a "dive bar." I don't like to wander the neighborhood looking for cash. I guess they don't want people to buy drinks! It put me in such a bad mood that even the great music will probably not get me to go back.

Monday's $1 well drinks were enough to win me over, as well as the outdoor patio in back. Get there early to avoid the lines that keep you from the relief of sweet, sweet alcohol. Great jukebox and pool table, too. Hard to beat a great dive bar like this, especially in this expen$ive city.

2

by bdgsf at Citysearch
August 02, 20024El Rio

Dive bars rule!!

★★★★☆

Monday's $1 well drinks were enough to win me over, as well as the outdoor patio in back. Get there early to avoid the lines that keep you from the relief of sweet, sweet alcohol. Great jukebox and pool table, too. Hard to beat a great dive bar like this, especially in this expen$ive city.